Study music recommendations for students seeking something new.
Studies have long suggested music’s capability to stimulate our neural networks, but not everyone is sold on the absolute value of listening to music while studying. University senior Hatti Hodes says gentle acoustic music complements creative endeavors such as writing papers, but musical stimulation and reading assignments don’t mix. First-year student Vivian Alexander prefers writing with movie soundtracks in the background, but music throws her off if she’s trying to learn a foreign language.
When it comes to combining music and studying, one rule seems to apply: Avoid words. Most music that caters to the subconscious mind rarely includes lyrical content. Poetry is more inclined to steal attention than rhythmic or texturally based music. Hodes, a lover of lyrics, recalls a study session where she became more caught up with what Janis Joplin had to say than what her textbook did.
But tasteful instrumental music can be hard to come by. So here are a few recommendations for the studious. In the ongoing war against dwindling attention spans, these are the albums that could energize your next best paper.
- Ambient 2: The Plateau of Mirror (1980) – Brian Eno and Harold Budd
Behold the perfect starting point for those unfamiliar with ambient music. Void of traditional melodic, lyrical, or rhythmic elements, this record reimagines music while inviting mindfulness. Clear your head, transcend hyper-stimulation, and focus.
- Just Piano (2022) – FKJ
Limitations are known to breed creativity, and French multi-instrumentalist FKJ embraces minimalism on this project to emphasize that reality. Recorded in his jungle studio, authentic natural ambiance garnishes his piano prowess, chirping birds and all. Decompress and let FKJ’s genius inspire your own.
- Con Todo el Mundo (2018) – Khruangbin
Infatuating bass lines possess mood shifting capabilities, and this is no secret to Khruangbin. The eclectic trio cites Thai, Latin, African, and Texan stylistic influences, and the result is undoubtedly soothing. In absence of lyrics, Mark Speer’s angelic guitar does the singing.
- Donuts (2006) – J Dilla
Study with style to these masterful grooves. The reinventor of rhythm’s lofi approach doesn’t utilize lyrics, and his mangled soul-samples suit the subconscious. Catch flow-state with the help of hip-hop’s greatest producer.
- Oasis (2020) – Attom
Looking for lush and blissful chillwave music that showers the studious mind with tempo and tranquility? This Duluth-based producer offers sonic-escapism worthy of the loop-button.
- You Must Believe In Spring (1981) – Bill Evans
Ethereal. Evans creates paintings of pastel melody while gliding ‘cross the piano. This dynamic jazz album is non-repetitive and free-flowing by nature, and it just might stimulate your creativity.
- Oppenheimer (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) (2023) – Ludwig Göransson
Blending fiery orchestral swells with droning electro-ambient texture, this cinematic score wrenches relentlessly at the gut. Christopher Nolan’s great film depicts immensity of power, guilt, and of course, “impending nuclear doom” which perhaps reflects your inner turmoil while writing a paper. When the stakes are high, home in and pump Oppenheimer through your headphones.